The Hyundai Xcent, launched back in 2014, has been Hyundai’s first foray into the budget sub-four metre compact sedan market in India. Based on the Hyundai Grand i10, the Xcent has been a steady seller for the Korean car maker. Hyundai has facelifted the Xcent in April 2016 and the new car looks distinctly different than its predecessor.
Being a compact sedan, it competes with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the Honda Amaze, the Ford Aspire, the VW Ameo and finally the new Tata Tigor.
Exterior
The underpinnings are the same as the old car but Hyundai has gone to great lengths to make the Xcent stand out in the competition for looks. It seems as if Hyundai wanted it to look like a mini-Verna with the large hexagonal radiator grille and a wide-looking air dam. The headlamps design is almost the same as before and resembles the new Hyundai Grand i10 which also has been updated recently. Since it is the same body shell, the profile looks exactly identical to the older car but the all-new tail design would remind you of anything but not the old Xcent.
Interior
Inside, the just like the Grand i10, the interior has been carried over from the previous car but with improvements. The Xcent gets the new 7-inch touchscreen display infotainment unit along with steering mounted audio controls. It gets automatic climate control for the top-spec car along with rear AC vents. The instrument cluster has been retained form the older car – a twin-pod unit with a multifunction display in the centre.
For safety, the Xcent gets ABS and EBD with dual front airbags along with features like central locking and engine immobiliser.
Engine and Gearbox
The new 1.2-litre diesel engine that had debuted with the Hyundai Grand i10 has made its way to the Xcent as well. The new 1.2-litre mill develops 74bhp of power and comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and having driven it in the Grand i10, it feels much better than the older 1.1-litre mill. The 1.2-litre petrol engine will continue with its presence with the five-speed manual and the 4-speed automatic gearbox options.
Mileage
The 1186 cc Diesel - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 22 kmpl in city and 24 kmpl on highways, while the Petrol variant offers a mileage of 17 kmpl on urban roads and 19 kmpl on freeways, respectively.
